Mulva

It's hard to explain unless you have actually worked here. Starting with the interview and day one of Indoc, you knew you were working with a bunch of very cool people. I can't tell you how many times my friends at Delta and United have told me how lucky I am to work at a company where people are actually happy. It's a good place and we hope it stays that way.

As for ULCC, that term seems to be associated with Allegiant and Spirit, which are both profitable airlines. They are also airlines that passengers aren't real thrilled with, but they still fly em. ULCC as has recently been mentioned in relation to F9 really means nothing more than having a VERY competitive CASM (sub 6 cents I believe is the goal). The Company briefly addressed this in passing during the investors conference call when it was mentioned that the goal is to be a ULCC while maintaining a quality product and customer loyalty (paraphrased there).

The first Frontier Airlines had a 40 year run before eventually getting kicked to the curb via acquisition by People Express and the Continental Airlines.

The current Frontier Airlines was essentially a start-up using the same name and involving certain executives of the first Frontier. So until BK 4 years ago and acquisition by RAH and merger with YX, this Frontier was never involved in BK, acquisition or merger. Somehow the airline managed to operate on its own for the better part of 14 years before things fell apart. Lots of growth and movement. I showed up 2 years before BK and I'm about 50% up the FO list. QOL has always been great, schedules (until recently) too. We don't make top dollar, but an FO can easily make $80K plus with 17 days off while CA's can do the same making $140Kish. And with very nice work rules and flexibility. Not too bad. It's been a great place to work and we all want to see it last. Maybe it won't , but we are certainly willing to see it through.

BTW, it's not very often that someone attacks the RAHbros because of the crappy contract or pay you guys have. None of that is your fault. We may point out that your Union hasn't returned much for your money and that you can't expect "JetBlue" rates on the 190 if you hope to keep your jobs (sounds like the CHQ guys might want to be concerned about actually seeing a pay cut on the 50 seaters). That CHQ bit is not flame bait, but a reality (listen to the conference call). Regionals are Regionals, some better the others. RAH has always had a reputation of being less the labor friendly. I was at SkyWest. I liked it there and left after 3.5 years for a place I liked better. I hope you all are eventually able to say the same thing.

So MrBrosef, I'm hoping your questions were asked in good faith because the answers I provided assumed so.

MrBrosef

Well I guess since its a new base not much you can do which sucks.

They tried doing that same thing to CHQ in new York. We have a LGA base and we do a crap tone of Delta flying out of JFK so they tried making "new York" base. Union got involved and didn't let the company do it.

So yeah I guess there is a difference. Also I thought there was something in your contract about opening bases?

MrBrosef

Yes they are being asked in good faith I am not looking for an argument or to stir the pot. Just an honest thought and wanted an honest answer which is what I got!

I messed this quote stuff up lol because I wanted to answer another of your statements

I don't see RAH getting a pay cut anytime in the near future. If they did give me a pay cut well...... I can't talk about it in public or else someone will try and sue me for something.

Mulva

Totally understand. I don't think you took it that way, but to be clear, I didn't throw the 50 seat bit out there to be an A$$, mainly to point out the double edged sword that 50 seat flying is becoming.

It just really jumped out to me in the investors conference call last week how the non-F9 RAH discussion kept coming back to 50 seat economics, CHQ and the thought that their may still be opportunities in the 50 seat market IF the RAH could get costs in line. Something like 1200 50 seaters still in service, but the number is projected to drop significantly. Sounds like RAH would like to remain a player in the 50 seat "space", but the discussion was clearly centered around the limitations on being able to do so. Supply is going to outstrip demand in the coming years and the market will dictate (who is the lowest bidder?) which regionals will be the players in the 50 seat world.

There was talk of restructuring $40M-$60M out of CHQ costs including "Human Productivity" savings. There was also talk in the call that the Company wants to get a deal done with the pilots soon (you've probably heard that before so not sure how serious that is). I hope you all get some nice QOL and pay improvements over there, but the realist in me can't figure out it can be done for all A/C types. Maybe 70 seaters and up, but the 50 seaters are going to get dinged (IMO) if they are to remain in service for RAH.

If you haven't already done so, take a listen to the conference call.

slumav505

There will be no pay cut on 50 seaters Herr. The greivanced filed by all the FO's now senior to guys making more coin would result in a large backpay grievance or so much training it would.make your head spin. Not getting any money from me. If they want it they can go ch11 to get it, which is the end of F9 BB WH and Co.

G-Dog

I saw the LM2. How close are you to the top of the old FAPA regime? That LM2 says a lot.

sticky

Oh mulva, you have such a wonderfully perdictable foresight into the future of RAH...cant wait to see what you'll think in the very near future. Horray horray May is near.

Hetman

There is comfort in consistency.

Claude Rains will have an easier time now that everyone is here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtSmfws0_To

Mulva

You talking about the $162K list in Schedule 11? Sorry to say, my name isn't on that list.

Mulva

Yo Stinky. I haven't a clue about the future of RAH. All I can do is comment on what was discussed on the conference call. Sounds like something big coming your guys way this week, huh? Like I've said before, I hope it all works out and you all get what you are after.

Time for me to go back on sabbatical unless you all want me hanging out. Always happy to throw in my 2 cents, but I'm ready for a rest.

later.